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Middle East

The company is working closely with the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority. (Image source: BAC)

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the entity responsible for managing Bahrain International Airport (BIA), has introduced its 2025 runway maintenance plan, aimed at enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in airport operations.

To mark the launch, a site visit was held with Gulf Air Group (GFG) chairman Khalid Hussain Taqi and BAC chief executive officer Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, alongside key members of BAC’s management team.

The company is working closely with the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority to ensure full compliance with international aviation safety standards and regulatory requirements.

The first phase of the 2025 maintenance plan will focus on essential runway upkeep, including rubber removal, friction testing, asphalt patching, and remarking.

Increasing safety

Additional work will involve shoulder repairs, strip grading, joint sealant application, and upgrades to Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL), including LED replacements and photometric testing. Manhole dewatering will also be carried out to maintain optimal drainage conditions.

Survey operations will take place at two runway locations, while the Ministry of Works’ Rayya Road expansion project will oversee the replacement of Runway 12L approach lights with energy-efficient LEDs.

This maintenance initiative reflects BAC’s ongoing investment in Bahrain International Airport’s infrastructure, ensuring enhanced safety, efficiency, and world-class service for both passengers and airlines.

Bahrain Airport Company's acting vice president of facility management Eyad Ismaeel said, "This comprehensive runway maintenance plan shows BAC’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety and efficiency at BIA throughout 2025. By adhering to international aviation safety and operational standards, we are not only enhancing BIA’s regional standing but also ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience for all passengers."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has recognised Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) with the Life President Award

Alba's chief executive officer, Ali Al Baqali, was presented the award by RoSPA's life president, Lord Jordan of Bournville.

Recognising Alba's rigid safety standards, which have seen it recently surpass 30 million safe working hours with no lost time injuries (LTIs) and an 87.5% reduction in workplace injuries, Lord Jordan said, "Only exceptional leadership, hard work and inspiration could achieve such a remarkable outcome, and the inspiration comes from Alba’s CEO, Ali Al Baqali."

Al Baqali added, "We are not just building a safer workplace; we are building a culture of safety that prioritises the well-being of our people."

Alba was among a roster of other winners of this year's Life President Awards.

The academy will offer training in construction and safety practices. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer of regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced the opening of its first Health & Safety Training Academy, following a pilot phase involving the training of 1,000 workers

Located at AMAALA, the academy offers free training for RSG’s workforce, partners and contractors, supporting the development of essential construction skills and safety capabilities. RSG’s comprehensive training portfolio adheres to the highest international safety standards, with certification from international organisations such as Highfield, IOSH, and NEBOSH.

"As our first dedicated training centre, the AMAALA Health & Safety Training Academy is designed to empower our partners and contractors with enhanced construction and safety practices. By ensuring exemplary safety protocols across all RSG’s developments, the academy aims to become the benchmark institution for health & safety training for Saudi Arabia and beyond," said John Dunne, group head of health & safety at RSG.

Equipped with modern indoor classrooms, outdoor training stations, and specialised safety areas, the facility enables trainees to build critical safety competencies through a mix of theoretical and hands-on training. Practical equipment such as scaffolding, walking work platforms, gantry cranes, confined space chambers and CPR training facilities enables trainees to develop critical safety skills, fostering a robust culture of safety, while the use of simulations to demonstrate the real consequences of safety violations enables trainees to be exposed to hazardous situations in a safe environment.

With multinational workforces often posing challenges for safety managers given language barriers and variations in safety standards, RSG has also obtained an official license to deliver IOSH Working Safety Training in both English and Hindi. This one-day course is specifically designed for workers or anyone who needs a grounding in the essentials of health & safety.

"As an approved partner and licensed provider of the IOSH Working Safely course in both English and Hindi, we are equipping our workforce and partners with vital safety skills that transcend language barriers. This partnership with IOSH reflects our dedication to fostering a safe and inclusive work environment across all our projects," added Dunne.

Last year Red Sea Global recorded 10 million hours worked without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) on Shura Island, which completes this year, and 11 million hours worked without an LTI on Shebara Resort, which opened in October 2024.

The severe rainfall in April last year caused widespread flooding. (Image source: Canva Pro)

The integration of AI and automation is significantly advancing HSE standards across the Middle East's construction sector. These technologies are enhancing risk management, improving safety, and optimising construction processes. Companies are eager to implement cutting-edge solutions, which is contributing to better HSE outcomes across the region.

ALEC, a leading construction company in the UAE, has embraced autonomous robots for tasks like site inspections and 3D scanning.

Equipped with AI, these robots navigate construction sites, capture high-quality images, and generate 3D models. This innovation not only improves the precision of site assessments but also boosts safety by identifying potential hazards before they cause harm. Certain AI systems, for instance, can prioritise issues based on risk scores, enabling managers to focus on the most critical threats.

Additionally, Trimble Constructible’s AI assists in project planning by using robots to capture 3D scans and feed the data into neural networks, helping to optimise schedules and address issues before they escalate.

In Qatar, Qatari Diar is leveraging AI to assess and manage risks on their construction projects. AI systems process data from multiple sources, including weather forecasts and equipment usage patterns, to predict and mitigate risks. This enables project managers to focus on high-risk areas, ensuring that resources and safety measures are allocated effectively.

Enhancing HSE measures during floods

The severe rainfall in April last year caused widespread flooding, construction delays, and infrastructure damage, highlighting weaknesses in existing HSE practices and prompting immediate action from developers.

DAMAC Properties responded by investing in advanced drainage solutions to mitigate future flooding risks. The company deployed tankers to remove floodwaters and maintained open communication with residents to address concerns quickly. To ensure worker safety and minimise disruptions, DAMAC promptly responded to meteorological alerts and coordinated efforts with local authorities. Following the storms, teams were deployed to clear floodwaters, remove sand and debris, and restore landscaping.

The floods in Dubai served as a pivotal reminder for the construction industry. By adopting enhanced HSE measures, developers are not only protecting their projects and workforce but also contributing to a more resilient and sustainable construction environment.

The above is an extra from Offshore Network’s MENA Health, Safety & Environment Report 2024.

HSE regulators and experts may suggest that comprehensive HSE strategies and regulation is critical regardless of region or breadth of operation. It is doubtless, however, that Saudi Arabia's political, business and societal landscape pose unique challenges that deserve due consideration by operators in the region.

A unique climate posing unique challenges

One might not expect a global superpower in the industrial and tourism spheres to emerge from the harsh desert environment of Saudi Arabia. The fact that one has, however, has earned it widespread criticism around worker safety, perhaps with little surprise given its extreme heat, sandstorms and dehydration risk.

Heat stress management and hydration/temperature policies demand rigorous implementation and monitoring to assuage some of that criticism and limit heat-related incidents.

Rising to the challenge of oil & gas reliance

Saudi Arabia's historic reliance on the oil & gas industry carries risk. The industry has unfortunately been ridden with high-profile incidents of compromised safety and, given the international standards of operation, neglecting or breaching policy jeopardises not only safety but reputation and project feasibility.

Staying one step ahead of shifting regulation

While KSA has made significant strides in HSE regulations, compliance remains an ongoing challenge due to rapidly-changing standards. Saudi Vision 2030 initiative aims to improve workplace safety and environmental sustainability, but carries with it near-constant shifting policies. Companies must stay updated with new regulations and ensure proper implementation.

Overcoming language barriers

Saudi Arabia's multinational workforce means language and communication barriers can hinder the efficacy of HSE training. Ensuring that safety regulations are both understood and carried out across various languages and cultures is essential for accident prevention.

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